Winter Sports Preview

Craig Wright
December 3, 2012

As fall sports finish in the postseason, winter sports prepare to steal the spotlight. Winter sports include boys and girls basketball, swimming and wrestling. Last year’s teams were very successful: both basketball teams competed at the state competition, the Swim Team won two individual state medals, and the Wrestling Team produced a second place State finisher.
The current obstacle for these teams (excluding swimming), is that both gyms are closed for repairs due to the fire on Oct. 8. The smaller auxiliary gym floor is nearly finished, but there are too many teams to practice in only one gym. For now, teams are practicing at Rosemont Ridge Middle School.
Boys Basketball

The Varsity Boys Basketball Team is returning four starters to a team that made a run to the semifinals of the state tournament last year. Many of the core members of the team are juniors, including Hayden Coppedge, Ryan Shearmire, Charles Sitton and Ty Cleland. This group plans on furthering their success this season. Standing in their path is four time defending state champion, Jesuit, and last year’s runner up and league rival, Lake Oswego.

Their first game will be held Nov. 30 at Grant High School at 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball

The Varsity Girls Basketball Team defeated Oregon City at the state tournament last year, which was a major step for the program, but losing five seniors from last year’s roster may prove to be a tough obstacle.

“Younger kids need to step up and we need to be flexible with what we have,” Julia Boyd-Helm, senior, said. “We need to keep working hard and it will pay off in the end.”

The team will host the “11th annual Tip-off Classic,” which will be held Nov. 30 at WLHS, against West Salem, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Swimming

The Swim Team had strong showing at state last year, sending multiple relay teams and capturing two individual titles. Although many senior leaders graduated, the team returns both state champions: team captain Curtis Klein, senior, who is the defending state champion in the 200 meter backstroke, and Brie Balsbough, junior, who will attempt to defend her title in the 50 meter freestyle.

“”Losing seniors is never easy to come back from and this year it will be especially hard, but we have some really good freshmen this year, and we have a solid base of returning veterans,” Klein said.
The Three Rivers League Relays will be held Nov. 29 at 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Oswego Pool.
Wrestling

The Wrestling Team looks to navigate its way through a tough dual meet league schedule. Tyler Chay, senior, was a runner up at the state tournament last year, and looks to lead another talented wrestling squad.

“Our lineup this year looks pretty solid all the way through. I’m excited to start the season,” Garrett Harmon, senior, said.

With the wrestling room still under repair, the team must practice in the commons at Rosemont, and unroll wrestling mats before each practice.

Competition begins Nov. 30 at the David Douglas invitational tournament at 4:00 p.m.

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About the Contributor

Craig Wright, Reporter

Whether running drills on the tennis court or jamming in his basement, Craig Wright, senior, fully commits himself to his passions. Wright has been playing tennis since he was six, when he was shorter than the net. He has been on the Boys Varsity Team all four years of high school and hopes to be captain this year. Wright is just as big of a fanatic about music as he is about tennis; he’s been to too many concerts to have a sure count; his best estimate is 34.

Wright’s interest in tennis was inherited; his dad played tennis in high school and shared his interest with Wright’s mom. His parents introduced he and his brother, Brett, to the sport and they both took to it. Last year Wright and his doubles partner, Jonathan Macemon, Class of 2012, were third in the District Championship and made it to State. In fact Wright’s favorite vacation was going South Carolina, primarily because he and his family were able to play tennis on real green clay courts.

Even though he plays tennis year round,somehow Wright has time for intramural basketball. However, according to Wright, when it comes to intramural “the less effort the better.” Another extracurricular activity that Wright participates in is Symphonic Band; he is a percussionist.

Wright’s interest in music extends beyond percussion; he has been playing guitar since sixth grade and bass guitar since eighth grade. The reason that Wright is so interested in playing instruments is that he is a huge music fan.

“I like a little bit of everything,” Wright said.

Wright’s brother introduced him to a wide variety of music, and they share many favorite bands like The Beatles, The Replacements, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire, Gaslight Anthem, The Ramones and The Clash. Wright idolizes many musicians and dreams of meeting them.

“Joe Strummer[The Clash] would be awesome [to meet], but he’s dead,” Wright said, “I’d like to meet Brian Fallon[The Gaslight Anthem]; he’s just a cool dude.”

Wright’s interest in the arts continues into his academic career. His favorite class is AP English, and he thinks he wants to study English or journalism in college.